Leading, local cancer charity, Action Cancer is encouraging men throughout Northern Ireland to pay more attention to their health and book a free MOT health check.

Charles Hurst Toyota and Action Cancer recently announced a yearlong partnership aimed at raising awareness and funds for the charity’s range of cancer prevention, early detection and support services. The charity’s Big Bus is contributing to Charles Hurst health and wellbeing programme by providing free health checks and breast screenings for staff and customers. So in effect, Action Cancer have been MOTing the MOT guys! Action Cancer is encouraging men to treat their body like a good car; service it regularly and it will be less likely to break down!

Technician Charles Hurst Toyota Technician, Matthew Morgan, who recently availed of a health check said, “My health check only took 20 minutes and it gave me a snap shot of my current health as well as advice on where I can make improvements and reduce my cancer risk. I learned about the signs and symptoms of male specific cancers, such as testicular and prostate cancers. It also has given me a starting point and the motivation to improve my diet and exercise routine and skip some of my old habits.”

Anne Thompson, Action Cancer’s Health Promotion Officer said, “Every year in Northern Ireland there are approximately 4,607 men diagnosed with cancer1 – that’s 12 men every day. Poor lifestyle choices, such as smoking, eating an unhealthy diet and not getting enough exercise, could be contributing to this cancer incidence.

Although men are 14% more likely than women to develop cancer, they are 37% more likely to die from the disease2. A reluctance to discuss personal health matters and not monitoring their health could mean men are at higher chance of not detecting cancer or other serious conditions at an early and, hopefully, more treatable stage.

It is estimated over half of all cancers could be prevented with the right lifestyle choices, such as not smoking, being safe in the sun, drinking alcohol responsibly, eating a healthy diet and taking regular exercise. Our MOT health checks can empower guys to make more positive lifestyle choices in the future.”

The free MOT health checks incorporate a number of assessments including blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and body composition analysis, as well as giving lifestyle advice and information on testicular, prostate, lung and bowel cancers. These checks do not diagnose cancer but aim to increase awareness of current health, highlight ways to help prevent cancer and the importance of early detection.

Any male aged 16+ can book a free health check either at Action Cancer House in Belfast or on board the charity’s Big Bus (supported by SuperValu and its independent retailers) which travels to 225 locations throughout Northern Ireland every year. Book online at www.actioncancer.org or by calling 028 9080 3344.

MAIN PIC: Anne Thompson, performs a blood pressure check on Matthew Morgan, Technician at Charles Hurst Toyota. Any male aged 16+ can book a free health check with Action Cancer online at www.actioncancer.org or by calling 028 9080 3344.